Of The Moment:

Glossy's Priya Rao Healy

Photo by Daphne Youree

April’s Of The Moment—a modern woman of substance with a knack for storytelling, Priya Rao Healy.

Priya, Executive Editor of Glossy and host of two podcasts both with avid followings—Unfair and the Glossy Podcast, is a seasoned journalist with past senior editorial positions at Harper's Bazaar, Vanity Fair, and Town & Country. She has also written for New York Magazine, Vogue, and Elle.

Her podcast, Unfair, is a five-part, narrative podcast on the global skin-whitening industry.

The Glossy Beauty Podcast is a weekly conversational talk show that offers a business view on the beauty and wellness industries (she’s interviewed everyone from Tata Harper to Tracy Anderson).

Below, the always authentic and impeccably stylish Priya gives us the scoop on everything from the motto that she now ascribes to after an experience at SXSW to the eye gel that’s changed her life (that we’re all now *adding to cart*)...

Name:

Priya Rao Healy

@priyarao

Profession:

Journalist, editor, podcast host

Executive Editor at Glossy and Host of The Glossy Beauty Podcast and Unfair.

Where I Live:

Upper East Side, New York City

My Motto:

Even though it’s hard and I am very impatient, be willing to play the long game. Some of the things that I love most about my life now -- finding my husband Patrick, the place I am in my career -- took time.

Always…

Ask a follow-up question.

Never….

Settle.

My Personal Style:

I like simple, feminine pieces. I have a million floral dresses, slip dresses, black and white blouses, and blazers in my closet because I wear them on repeat. I used to get caught up in trends or statement looks A LOT when I was younger, but now I’m gravitating toward easy, cool basics.

When I Need Inspiration, I…

Call a million friends and sources, and read The New York Times.

Favorite Indulgence:

Cookie dough and anything Chanel.

I Treasure…

My family, my oldest friends, and my husband. There is a reason the closest people in my life have been around since the early days. Loyalty is underrated.

Favorite Episode & Piece I’ve Written:

Creating Unfair helped me find my voice. Three years ago I had never even done a podcast, but took a chance with The Glossy Beauty Podcast because I wanted to learn and thought it would be fun. Doing that show is the favorite part of my job, but Unfair was a total leap. It was a narrative, five-part series -- doing something episodic is completely different from talk radio. And it was deeply personal, investigative, and terrifying. But the reaction from listeners was like nothing I had experienced. Getting that Apple-recommended stamp of approval didn’t hurt either.

I recently wrote the Priyanka Chopra Jonas cover story for Marie Claire and loved how intimate it turned out. Celebrity profiles are hard, but the end result felt new about one of the most famous women in the world.

Most Fascinating Aspect Of Talking To Beauty Founders:

It really is amazing watching how much drive and talent these people have. Being a founder or CEO can be very lonely, but these people have a passion to be doing what they’re doing. They have a vision and they stick to it.

Best Piece Of Career Advice:

Own your moment. A couple of years ago, I was a featured speaker at SXSW for two events. The afternoon I flew into Austin (I went to college there), I lost my wallet, couldn’t get my event badge, couldn’t get an Uber -- it was hectic and I woke up the next morning sure I was going to bomb. But when I got on that stage, I lived and breathed that moment. Even though I felt unprepared and I probably blacked out when I was speaking, I had an inner trust in myself and my skills. I knew what I was doing.

Photo by Daphne Youree

The Best Piece Of Life Advice I’ve Received:

My dad always tells me “If you can’t find a way, you’ll make a way.” I often underestimate what I can do, but he reminds me that I have the resilience and ability to do anything I want.

Never Did I Think I Would…

Pretty much everything has surprised me lately -- being a real New Yorker (I’ve lived here for almost 15 years and stayed during Covid!)

Priya, We Have To Know… Favorite Beauty Products!

I have really sensitive skin and found myself with a case of perioral dermatitis during Covid. So, I've been focused on a simple, but effective routine. I alternate between Cetaphil soap and Dr. Barbara Sturm’s Foam Cleanser when washing my face and then use her Clarifying Serum after. I was never a big serum person, but this has helped with perioral dermatitis. Her Brightening Serum and Hyper’s Serum are great for my hyperpigmentation, but those two are as-needed. CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion and Augustinus Bader Rich Cream are tried-and-true because they work. I’m obsessed with looking bright-eyed; 111 Skin’s Eye Lift Gel is the best eye cream I’ve ever used. If I’m extra tired, I’ll use Chantecaille’s Gold Recovery Mask and eye masks, and put an ice pack on my face.

Glowing Skin, This Way: An assortment of Priya’s beauty favorites

Makeup:

I haven’t been wearing a ton of makeup during the pandemic, but on days I need motivation or have an important Zoom, I try to keep my makeup pretty and natural. I love a good lip and to make my eyes pop.

I typically only stick to mascara (Ilia’s or Jones Road’s new one) and liquid eyeliner (I’m using one by Tarte now). I was never a big eyeshadow person until two years ago, but I have absolutely fallen in love with Chanel Les 4 Ombres Eyeshadows. Essential or Rivoli are the greatest combos. I’m not as scared of playing around with them or making a mistake and will put those on if I need to pep myself up.

My mom always wears her red-brick lipstick from Elizabeth Arden, so I was taught that lipstick can transform your face. I have a million lipsticks and lip stains, but my go-to shades are Hermes Rouge H, Lilah B’s Tinted Lip Oil in B. Bold and B. Remarkable, and Tom Ford’s Casablanca.

Chanel Powder Blush in Rose Bronze is the universally right rosy cheek for everyone. If I want something longer-lasting, I'll layer a cream blush on under from Rare Beauty, Merit or Nudestix.

It’s still hard to find the right foundation for my skin tone, so I alternate between MAC Studio Fix Foundation for full coverage or Nars Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer, which is perfect for every day. Ilia’s Super Serum Skin Tint is also very good. I haven’t found a better concealer than Nars, but I am liking Jones Road’s pencil sticks because of how easy they are to use.

Zoom Makeup: Priya’s picks for a “no-makeup makeup” look

Must-Read & Watch:

Minari is absolutely incredible -- heartbreaking, touching, beautiful. The immigrant story is one that’s as old as America and I loved watching this take. Call My Agent is hysterical. I laughed so hard I cried watching, and I want to BE Camille Cotton as Andrea Martel. We just wrapped the last season and I’m sad it’s over.